Independent device for laying out bed linen

ABSTRACT

Independent equipment for bedding straightening, comprising 
     a smaller inflatable sleeve ( 2 ) attached to a bottom sheet ( 10 ) covering the top of a mattress ( 4 );
 
a larger inflatable sleeve ( 9 ) attached to a unit ( 12 ) comprising a top sheet, at least one blanket and a bedspread, this unit being unfolded upon straightening thereof around a direction corresponding to a smaller back side of the mattress matching the foot end of the bed,
 
wherein both inflatable sleeves receive pressured air regulated through a distribution valve ( 13 ) fed by a compressed air station ( 14 ); such equipment:
 
comprises a flat structural base ( 1 ) to be attached to such C-shaped smaller inflatable sleeve ( 2 ) through surrounding pieces ( 3 ) that couple and adapt the lower corner areas of the mattress ( 4 ) of the bed ( 5 );
 
the flat structural base ( 1 ) is arranged in the plane that separates the mattress lower face ( 4 ) y from the base upper face ( 6 ) of the bed;
 
the flat structural base ( 1 ) is also attached to the C-shaped smaller inflatable sleeve ( 2 ) by means of a pair of angle brackets ( 7 ) associated to the crosspiece of such C-shaped smaller inflatable sleeve ( 2 ) as well as by means of the end connections of cross braces ( 1   d ) connecting with the lateral branches ( 2   b ) of the C-shaped smaller inflatable sleeve ( 2 ).

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, as stated herein, relates to an independent equipment for bedding straightening intended for automatically unfolding and straightening bed clothing by means of compressed air inflatable sleeves associated with bed clothes, such that when the air is introduced under pressure into such inflatable sleeves, these are unfolded and straightened pulling bedding along which become also straightened.

On the one hand, equipment activation of the present invention straightens a bottom sheet covering mattress by means of a first smaller inflatable sleeve, and on the other hand, the device activation also straightens a set consisting of a top sheet, at least one blanket, and a bedspread, such that these three elements are fully attached as a single unit associated to the larger inflatable sleeve.

In the light of the above, the object of this invention is an independent device which can be applied to any existing bed on the market.

To achieve this, the independent equipment consists of a particular structure, comprising a group of elements enabling a simple and fast adaptation to a conventional bed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

At present, beds comprising bedding straightening equipment are well known, such as the Patent of Invention, publication number WO 2009/144530.

This bedding straightening equipment consists of a structure associated with a bed base, comprising an air compressor, an air distribution valve, a first inflatable sleeve associated with a bottom sheet covering the bed mattress, and a second inflatable sleeve associated to a unit comprising a top sheet, at least one blanket, and a bedspread, such that when the distribution valve is activated, the compressed air is circulated towards the inflatable sleeves causing them to straighten and unfold, thereby the bottom sheet as well as the unit comprising the top sheet, blanket and bedspread are also being unfolded and straightened.

This straightening equipment has the drawback that it cannot be adapted to bed already existing on the market since it is an integral part of the bed including the equipment.

Also known is the document U.S. Pat. No. 3,895,404, which describes a system to enable automatic bedding straightening. Such system is composed of a series of inflatable ducts which, together with the actuation of an air injection system within such ducts, facilitates bedding unfolding and straightening.

Even though the system of document U.S. Pat. No. 3,895,404 also discloses equipment which can be adapted to different types of beds, it is clear the it does not comprise the same fastening and support structures, nor the mechanisms for bottom sheet straightening, which are encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, in the light of the aforementioned documents and the manner it will hereinafter be demonstrated, the present invention has its own distinctive characteristics which aim at solving a series of technical drawbacks in the prior art.

DESCRIPTION

In order to achieve the objectives, and to avoid the aforementioned inconveniences, the invention proposes independent equipment for bedding straightening which comprises, among others, the following elements:

-   -   A smaller inflatable sleeve attached to a bottom sheet covering         the top of a mattress.     -   A larger inflatable sleeve attached to a unit comprising a top         sheet, a blanket, and a bedspread, this unit being laid during         the straightening thereof around a direction corresponding to         the rear smaller side of the mattress which matches with the         foot end of the bed.

Both inflatable sleeves receive pressured air regulated through a distribution valve mediation fed from a pressured air station.

The independent equipment of the invention comprises a flat structural base which is attached to such smaller inflatable c-shaped sleeve adopting such form by intervening surrounding pieces which embrace and adapt to the lower cornered zones of the corresponding bed mattress. The structural base is arranged on the plane that separates the lower face of the mattress from the upper face of the bed base.

The structural base is also attached to the C-shaped smaller inflatable sleeve by means of a pair of angle brackets associated to the crosspiece of such C-shaped smaller inflatable sleeve, and also by means of opposing connections that communicate with lateral branches of the C-shaped smaller inflatable sleeve.

Distribution valve is attached to the center of the crosspiece of the C-shaped smaller inflatable sleeve.

The crosspiece of the C-shaped smaller inflatable sleeve is arranged to match the mattress rear smaller edge, while the lateral branches are arranged to match the longitudinal edges of said mattress.

A first distribution valve outlet connects with the C-shaped smaller inflatable sleeve, while the second distribution valve outlet connects with the larger inflatable sleeve. Likewise, a third ventilation inflatable sleeve also connects with a third distribution valve outlet, wherein such third ventilation inflatable sleeve surrounds, following the shape of such C-shaped smaller inflatable sleeve, the rear smaller edge and longitudinal edges of the mattress.

The flat structural base of the independent equipment comprises a central platform, a plurality of diagonal braces coming from the central platform and where the free ends thereof connect with the surrounding pieces, two inner braces coming from the central platform and where the free ends thereof connect with angle braces, and a cross brace where the ends thereof connect with the lateral branches of the C-shaped smaller inflatable sleeve.

In turn, the aforementioned surrounding pieces contain grooves allowing the C-shaped smaller inflatable sleeve and diagonal braces of the flat structural base to fit together.

Likewise, the horizontal branches of the angle brackets contain matching grooves through with the ends of the structural base inner braces are fit together and fixed. The angle brackets also include, on the outer faces, bedding rear edge fastening devices matching the foot end thereof as well as an anchorage device to be attached to the bed base. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fastening devices are two.

The fastening devices comprise a winding extension coming from the vertical branch of the angle bracket and a terminal head; an intermediate space being defined between this and the winding extension where bedding rear edges associated with the larger inflatable sleeve are introduced under pressure so that the elasticity of fastening device materials provide the necessary tightening to hold bed clothes.

The anchorage device is located in the lower part of the angle bracket vertical branch, comprising an elbow flange that get hooked on the bed base through snap fit.

The larger inflatable sleeve comprises rectangular frame structure, wherein the smaller back side of the such larger inflatable sleeve comprises a narrowing which connects from within with the first compressed air distribution valve outlet, while the larger side of such inflatable sleeve gradually narrow toward the ends connecting with the other flat smaller side of such larger inflatable sleeve corresponding to the bed headrest.

The ventilation inflatable sleeve is arranged parallel to the C-shaped Framework, while at the same time the ventilation inflatable sleeve comprises terminal appendices which release controlled amounts o fair air allowing the bottom sheet and bedding in general to ventilate.

In order to provide a better understanding of this specification, and being an integral part thereof, a series of figures in which the object of the invention has been represented with an illustrative and not limitative manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1—Depicts a perspective view of the independent equipment for bedding straightening by means of a first C-shaped smaller inflatable sleeve associated with a bottom sheet, and a second larger inflatable sleeve associated with a unit comprising the group that consists of an upper sheet, a blanket and a bedspread.

FIG. 2—Depicts a perspective view of the equipment of the invention applied to a conventional bed.

FIG. 3—Depicts a perspective view of a flat structural base being part of the invention. Also depicted are angle brackets and corner surrounding pieces attached to the structural base.

FIG. 4—Depicts a perspective view of one of the angle brackets comprising a pair of bedding edge fastening devices also including an anchorage device to fix to the bed flat structural base.

FIG. 5—Depicts a perspective view of one of the corner surrounding pieces.

FIG. 6—Depicts a top view of the bed at an initial phase of the unit straightening process comprising the group of upper sheet, blanket, and bedspread.

FIG. 7—Depicts a view of the different phases of the unfolding or straightening process of the unit comprising the group of upper sheet, blanket and bedspread.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Considering numerical references included in the figures of the present invention, a preferred, but not limited, embodiment of the independent equipment for bedding straightening can be described.

The independent equipment for bedding straightening comprises a flat structural base to be attached, by means of the action of a series of braces coming from a central platform 1 a, to a C-shaped smaller inflatable sleeve 2. Said braces and such C-shaped smaller inflatable sleeve, connect through surrounding pieces 3 which embrace and adapt to the mattress 4 lower corner areas of a bed 5, such that the said flat structural base 1 is arranged in the plane that separates the lower face of the mattress 4 and the upper face from de base 6 of the bed 5.

Likewise, the flat structural base 1 is also attached to the crosspiece 2 a of the C-shaped smaller inflatable sleeve 2 by means of a pair of angle brackets 7 as well as by means of two end connections of a cross brace 1 d connecting with lateral branches 2 b of the C-shaped smaller inflatable sleeve 2.

The crosspiece 2 a of the C-shaped smaller inflatable sleeve 2 is arranged to match the mattress back edge 4 in line with the foot end of the bed 5, while the lateral branches 2 b of the C-shaped smaller inflatable sleeve 2 are arranged in line with the two longitudinal edges of the mattress 4.

The equipment of the invention also comprises a third ventilation inflatable sleeve 8 arranged parallel to the C-shaped smaller inflatable sleeve 2 and a rectangular frame-shaped larger inflatable sleeve 9 whose one of the smaller sides thereof, defined by a narrowing 9 a, is arranged in line with the foot end of the bed 5.

The ventilation inflatable sleeve 8 is associated with a bottom sheet 10 covering the top of the mattress 4, through terminal appendices 11 which release controlled amounts of air allowing the bottom sheet and the bed in general to ventilate, while the larger inflatable sleeve 9 is attached to a unit 12 comprising a group of a bottom sheet, at least one blanket and a bedspread, such that when said inflatable sleeves 2, 8, 9 receive air under pressure, bed clothes are automatically straightened and ventilated.

In one embodiment of the invention, the larger inflatable sleeve 9 is attached to the unit 12 composed of the upper sheet, blanket, and bedspread, by means of anchorage devices not depicted in the figures, which can be represented by contact fastening mechanisms, through adherent materials such as Velcro, or others such as “fastening pegs”.

Inflation and deflation of the inflatable sleeves 2, 8, 9 is carried out by means of a distribution valve 13 comprising multiple air outlets which at the same time is preferably located at the center of the crosspiece 2 a of the C-shaped smaller inflatable sleeve 2.

One of the several outlets of the distribution valve 13 connects with one of the smaller sides defined by a narrowing 9 a of the larger inflatable sleeve 9, while the other outlet of the distribution valve 13 connects with the crosspiece 2 a of the C-shaped smaller inflatable sleeve 2, such that when such distribution valve 13 is activated through a first button 13 a, the inflatable sleeves 2, 9 are pressurized thus straightening bed clothes. Indeed, by pressurizing the C-shaped smaller inflatable sleeve 2, lateral sliding in different directions occurs in the bottom sheet 10, resulting in the straightening thereof. In turn, activation of the ventilation smaller inflatable sleeve 8 allows controlled air release by means of terminal appendices 11, resulting in a bed ventilation process. In one embodiment of the invention, this ventilation process, may be omitted if the air outlet corresponding to distribution valve 13 is not activated.

In one embodiment of the invention, not depicted in the figures, distribution valve 13 allows the air conduction hose to couple, in order to facilitate, for example, to facilitate drying in ill patients. Likewise, in an embodiment not depicted, the invention comprises a mattress covering system allowing the air coming from distribution valve to be distributed across the entire extension of the bed.

In turn, when a second button 13 b of the distribution valve 13 is activated, pressure is released from inflatable sleeves 2-8-9 until a determined pressure is achieved, such as for example, that pressure required to situate the unit 12 comprising the top sheet, blanket and bedspread, from position shown in step “d” (maximum pressure) of FIG. 6, to step “e”, and from the latter to the final state corresponding to step “f” where the bed is fully made.

In these FIGS. 7 a to 7 f, it is emphasized that when pressure diminished inside inflatable sleeves, weight of unit 12 is pulled down by gravity having the bed fully made up.

Pressured air flow is supplied by a compressor 14 that can be integrated in the equipment of the invention itself being housed within the mattress itself 4 or at the base 6 of the bed 5. Such station optionally supplies cold or warm air. In this case, in an embodiment not depicted in figures, the equipment of the invention allows the arrangement of additional inflatable sleeves superficially crossing mattress 4, allowing bed to be warmed up. Such additional inflatable sleeves, in an inflated condition, optionally, allow the possibility for ill patients to change positions, or else, massage application. Additionally, the equipment of the invention may comprise complementary disinfecting and sanitizing equipment, such as ultraviolet light and ionizing equipment, or else, aromatization equipment included in the compressed air station, for example, to aromatize the bed with the smell of laundry detergent or freshly washed sheet. Or else, for application of health therapies based on fragrances (aromatherapy)

Another option implies an independent, mountable and demonountable, and outer pressured air station (with operational autonomy by means of a charging cell or photovoltaic panel, therefore requiring low voltage) to the bed unit 5, such that, such compressed air station could be used in complementary household shores such as for example, vacuum cleaning or ventilation. The compressed air station can be operated at different rates, for example, “fast”, “normal”, and “slow”.

The larger sides 9 b of the inflatable sleeve 9 progressively narrows toward the ends connection a smaller side 9 c of said inflatable sleeve 9 corresponding to the head rest of the bed 5.

On the other side, the flat structure base 1 comprises a central platform 1 a and several diagonal braces 1 b whose free ends connect with corner surrounding pieces 3, which comprise grooves 3 a through which they connect with the C-shaped smaller inflatable sleeve 2 and with the flat structural base 1.

The flat structural base 1 comprises other two inner braces 1 c coming from the central platform 1 a whose free ends connect with angle brackets 7 which, in turn, are attached to the crosspiece 2 a of the C-shaped smaller inflatable sleeve 2. The horizontal branches 7 a of the angle brackets 7 comprise a groove 7 c to facilitate coupling thereof to said inner braces 1 c of the flat structural base 1.

The flat structural base 1 also comprises a cross brace 1 d whose ends connect with lateral branches 2 b of the C-shaped smaller inflatable sleeve 2. Noteworthy is the fact that the ends of such cross brace 1 d comprise through grooves 1 e.

Angle brackets 7 comprise a pair of fastening devices 15 of the bedding back edges corresponding to the foot end thereof as well as an anchorage device 16 to attach to the base 6 of the bed 4.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, fastening brackets 15 comprise a winding extension 15 a coming from the vertical branch 7 b of the angle brackets 7 and a terminal head 15 b, defining between the latter and the winding extension 15 a an intermediate space 15 c where bedding back ends 5 are se introduced under pressure, associated with the larger inflatable sleeve 9, so that the device material elasticity of fastening devices 15 can provide the required tightening to hold bed clothes 5. Other fastening options are possible, for example, contact fastening of Velcro-type adherent surfaces, or any other fastening means that allow bedding 5 to be hold in place.

The anchorage device 16 is located in the lower part of the vertical branch 7 b of the angle brackets 7, comprising an elbow flange that get hooked on the base 6 of the bed 5 through snap fit. 

1. Independent equipment for bedding straightening, comprising a C-shaped smaller inflatable sleeve (2) comprising a crosspiece and being attached to a bottom sheet (10) covering a top of a mattress (4); and a larger inflatable sleeve (9) attached to a unit (12) comprising a top sheet, at least one blanket and a bedspread, this unit being unfolded upon straightening thereof around a direction corresponding to a smaller back side of the mattress matching a foot end of the bed, wherein both inflatable sleeves receive pressured air regulated through a distribution valve (13) fed by a compressed air station (14); such equipment being characterized in that: the independent equipment further comprises a flat structural base (1) to be attached to such C-shaped smaller inflatable sleeve (2) through surrounding pieces (3) that couple and adapt the lower corner areas of the mattress (4) of the bed (5); the flat structural base (1) is arranged in a plane that separates a lower face of the mattress (4) from a base upper face (6) of the bed; and the flat structural base (1) is also attached to the C-shaped smaller inflatable sleeve (2) by means of a pair of angle brackets (7) associated to the crosspiece of such C-shaped smaller inflatable sleeve (2) as well as by means of end connections of cross braces (1 d) connecting with lateral branches (2 b) of the C-shaped smaller inflatable sleeve (2).
 2. Independent equipment for bedding straightening, according to claim 1, characterized in that the structural base (1) comprises: a central platform (1 a); a plurality of diagonal braces (1 b) coming from the central platform (1 a), and which free ends thereof connect with surrounding pieces (3); and two inner braces (1 c) coming from the central platform (1 a) and which free ends thereof connect with angle brackets (7).
 3. Independent equipment for bedding straightening, according to claim 1, characterized in that the surrounding pieces (3) comprise grooves (3 a) through which the surrounding pieces connect with the C-shaped smaller inflatable sleeve (2), and with the flat structural base (1).
 4. Independent equipment for bedding straightening, according to claim 2, characterized in that the angle brackets comprise horizontal branches (7 a) that comprise corresponding grooves (7 c), through which the free ends of the inner braces (1 c) are attached to the flat structural base (1).
 5. Independent equipment for bedding straightening, according to claim 1, characterized in that the angle brackets (7) comprise two fastening devices (15) each comprising a winding extension (15 a) coming from a vertical branch (7 b) of the angle brackets (7) and a terminal head (15 b), defining between the latter and the winding extension an intermediate space (15 c) where bedding (5) back ends are introduced under pressure, this being associated to the larger inflatable sleeve (9); wherein a material elasticity of the fastening devices (15) provides the necessary tightening to hold bed clothes (5).
 6. Independent equipment for bedding straightening, according to claim 1, characterized in that the angle brackets (7) comprise anchorage devices (16) arranged in line with a lower part of a vertical branch (7 b) of such angle brackets (7), comprising an elbow flange that is hooked on the base (6) of the bed (5) through snap.
 7. Independent equipment for bedding straightening, according to claim 1, characterized in that: the larger inflatable sleeve (9) comprises a rectangular frame-shaped structure; a smaller back side of the larger inflatable sleeve (9) comprises a narrowing (9 a) connecting from within with the distribution valve outlet (13); and larger sides (9 b) of the larger inflatable sleeve (9) progressively narrow toward ends connecting with a smaller side (9 c) of such larger inflatable sleeve (9) corresponding to a head rest of the bed (5).
 8. Independent equipment for bedding straightening, according to claim 1, characterized in that: the independent equipment further comprises a ventilation inflatable sleeve (8) arranged parallel to the C-shaped smaller inflatable sleeve (2), and it is associated with the bottom sheet (10) by means of terminal appendices (11) which release compressed air in a controlled manner to allow the bottom sheet (10) to be ventilated.
 9. Independent equipment for bedding straightening, according to claim 1, characterized in that the distribution valve (13) is attached at a center of the crosspiece (2 a) of the C-shaped smaller inflatable sleeve (2).
 10. Independent equipment for bedding straightening, according to claim 1, characterized in that the crosspiece (2 a) of the C-shaped smaller inflatable sleeve (2) is arranged in line with the smaller back side of the mattress (4), while the lateral branches (2 b) are arranged in line with longitudinal edges of the mattress (4).
 11. Independent equipment for bedding straightening, according to claim 8, characterized in that a first distribution valve outlet (13) connects with the C-shaped smaller inflatable sleeve (2), a second distribution valve outlet (13) connects with the larger inflatable sleeve (9), and a third distribution valve outlet (13) connects with a ventilation inflatable sleeve (8). 